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USB 2.0 to IDE Adapter & Virtual machine question

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Hi,

I posted this thread on virtual computing forum but havent got any replys as yet and i know you guys in here are helpfull.

Im studying for my A+ and have an external Hard drive with preinstalled windows xp professional and want to use that os to use a a virtual machine on m laptop whilst studying

ive seen on the market a "USB 2.0 to IDE or Serial-ATA Drive Adapter". is this what i need to set xp as a vm on my laptop, is there anything else i need or any other steps to complete t make this work

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You've not really grasped the idea of virtual computing. The easiest method of you doing what you want to achieve is by installing VMWare Server/Workstation on your PC, then running VMWare Converter to convert the installation on your external hard drive to a VM, then importing it into VMWare Server/Workstation. Failing that, after setting up VMWare Server/Workstation, create a new virtual machine from scratch.

All the ide/sata to usb converters do is make internal hard drives (ie ones without enclosures) usable via usb. IF that drive has data there already then you can access that through the OS, however you couldn't make a new virtual machine and point it at that data and say use that as far as I am aware.

Virtual machines are generally built in stages one of which is the install of the OS for that machine.

The confusing way you've structured your question isnt helping us but here goes

VMware isnt the only Virtual computing app. There are other free solutions. I'm a fan of Virtual box but people have their own preferences. Just google for options

I'm not sure whether you're saying you have a hard drive with xp installed on it or that you have a vm on an external hard drive.

In the first instance Zebs recommendation is solid. You dont need paid for VMware to achieve this. Player and converter will do the job. Worry about server a little later as your needs grow though free solutions will do the job

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